Who This Book Is For

This book is for developers who want to build data-driven apps, or a line of business applications using the Windows Phone platform. It is also useful for developers on other mobile platforms looking to convert their apps to Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. Basic understanding of C#, XAML and Silverlight is required.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Data Binding to UI Elements

Introduction

Element binding

DataContext

Data Templates

How DataMode is used

Converting data for display

Building a simple app

Chapter 2: Isolated Storage

Introduction

Saving user settings

Opening and creating a file

Saving username and password to a local store

Saving a background image to local storage

Chapter 3: XML as a Data Store

Introduction

Opening a local XML file

Navigating the XML file

Opening a remote XML file

Object serialization to XML

Chapter 4: Using Open Data

Introduction

Consuming OData services

Searching OData services

CRUD operations with OData

Chapter 5: Using On-Device Databases

Introduction

Overview of SQLite Studio

SQLite Client as an embedded database

Using SQLite as a local store for the MyTasks App

SQL CE as a local store

McObject Perst as an embedded object database

Chapter 6: Representational State Transfer—REST

Introduction

Consuming RSS Feeds

Using the Twitter API

Building a simple REST service

Chapter 7: Windows Communication Framework—WCF

Introduction

Writing and consuming a simple web service

Building a service layer using WCF

WCF using ADO.NET Entity Framework

Using LINQ to SQL for creating the service

Chapter 8: Model View ViewModel

Introduction

Simple MVVM application

Using MVVM Light Toolkit

Updating the MVVM application

What You Will Learn

Create data binding to user interface elements with any data source

Create and save user settings to local isolated storage for later consumption.

Explore different on device database options such as commercial Perst, open source SQLite and Microsoft’s SQL CE.

Create and consume simple web services and understand LINQ features.

Scale the applications and work with WCF web services.

Understand REST and call different social media services like Twitter and RSS Feeds.

Create and understand MVVM model.

In Detail

Windows Phone 7.5 Mango contains support for apps written in Silverlight or XNA. These apps can store data on the device, and also load and manipulate data from "the cloud" and other web services.

This Windows Phone 7.5 Data Cookbook has a range of recipes to help you apply data handling concepts. You will be able to apply the knowledge gained from these recipes to build your own apps effectively.

This Windows Phone 7.5 Data Cookbook starts with data binding concepts at the UI layer and then shows different ways of saving data locally and externally in databases. The book ends with a look at the popular MVVM software design pattern. The recipes contained in this book will make you an expert in the areas of data access and storage.

Authors

Ramesh Thalli

Ramesh Thalli is a Senior Application Architect and a Developer who has over 15 years in a Microsoft Windows development environment. He has worked extensively in WinForms, ASP.NET, WPF, Silverlight, SQL Server and is proficient in C, C++ and C# languages. He has conducted many live and online training workshops in Microsoft technologies. He has a passion for Mobile Operating Systems which include iPhone, Android and WP7.
He is specialized in building enterprise applications in IT Support Functions such as Project Portfolio Management, Project Management, HR Systems, IT Governance, Enterprise Architecture, IT Finance and Software Estimation.
He has extensive experience in the telecom and healthcare insurance industry. In his spare time he loves to teach and also has a keen interest in exploring world percussion instruments.

Alerts & Offers

Series & Level

We understand your time is important. Uniquely amongst the major publishers, we seek to develop and publish the broadest range of learning and information products on each technology. Every Packt product delivers a specific learning pathway, broadly defined by the Series type. This structured approach enables you to select the pathway which best suits your knowledge level, learning style and task objectives.

Learning

As a new user, these step-by-step tutorial guides will give you all the practical skills necessary to become competent and efficient.

Beginner's Guide

Friendly, informal tutorials that provide a practical introduction using examples, activities, and challenges.

Essentials

Fast paced, concentrated introductions showing the quickest way to put the tool to work in the real world.

Cookbook

A collection of practical self-contained recipes that all users of the technology will find useful for building more powerful and reliable systems.

Blueprints

Guides you through the most common types of project you'll encounter, giving you end-to-end guidance on how to build your specific solution quickly and reliably.

Mastering

Take your skills to the next level with advanced tutorials that will give you confidence to master the tool's most powerful features.

Starting

Accessible to readers adopting the topic, these titles get you into the tool or technology so that you can become an effective user.

Progressing

Building on core skills you already have, these titles share solutions and expertise so you become a highly productive power user.